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God Hides

Isaiah 45:15
Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel.


Comment

If one were to read this verse out of context one may get the false impression that it means that God does not involve Himself with human affairs - that God's hiding Himself alludes to His inactivity. However notice the context:
 
45:12 It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.
45:13 I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness:
45:14  They will bow down before you and plead with you, saying, ‘
Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.’"
45:15 Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation
45:16 this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it;
All of these speak of God's activity in creation and interaction in human affairs.
But then what does Isaiah allude to when he says that God hides Himself?

It means that though God is involved in every aspect of life and history, we cannot know much of Him unless He reveals Himself. For example in contrast to idols, God cannot be seen. And yet, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." Pr 16:33 Toss a coin, God is in control of the outcome. God is in control of every chance event. In fact there is no chance with God. Yet He cannot be seen. "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" Romans 11:33 God has allowed Himself to be known, but only to those who seek with all their hearts.   "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 So also "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field." Matthew 13:44

How to Find God

Prov 2:3-5
if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources